Belize Times reports Chalillo feasibility study complete

In economic news today’s Belize Times reports that the long awaited full feasibility study for the Chalillo Hydroelectric Project has now been completed. The study, which was promised by government officials as early as August, was done by two Canadian consulting firms, and includes both an economic and environmental analysis. According to the Times the study endorses the project on both grounds: it outlines a number of attractive investment options which appear to be viable and also says that any negative environmental effects can be minimized to acceptable levels. When we reached B.E.L. for comment, Public Relations Director Dianne Foreman told News Five that she was not aware that the study had been completed. Another B.E.L. commissioned study by General Electric of the USA also gave “thumbs up” to the Chalillo Project as the best way to meet Belize’s future energy needs. For their part Chalillo’s opponents have debunked the GE report as the work of a company with a checkered environmental reputation. B.E.L. Chief Executive Officer Lynn Young, along with several other company executives are presently in Newfoundland, Canada holding talks with the Fortis Corporation which has recently purchased majority control of B.E.L.